This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

If you are the teacher in question, or know any details about any of them, email us at webmaster@thestar.ca

Article Continued Below

These posts have been edited for length and clarity.

Ms. MaryAnne Kenny, of North Park Collegiate, Brantford, 1960s

Heather (Sayles) Smedley writes:

When I was Heather Sayles I had a teacher at North Park Collegiate who taught French. This would have been around 1964-5. Her name then was MaryAnne Kenny (might have been spelled Marianne Kenney). I remember that she was away from teaching for about a year because of a serious car accident. During the course of her convalescence we wrote to her. When she returned to North Park I was again in her French class.

Mr. Summers, of Uxbridge Secondary School, Uxbridge, 1970s

Else Pedersen writes:

During 1971- 73, I had a business teacher by the name of Mr. Summers at Uxbridge Secondary School. I was a shy kid who lacked confidence in a big way and he somehow got to me and believed in me resulting in my excelling in typing, business and shorthand. This led me into administration type roles and for the past 20 years, I’ve been running my own consulting firm. I’d love to thank him. He was likely in his mid 40s then so I don’t expect he’s currently teaching but hope he’s still alive and enjoying life somewhere. If you find him, I’d love to touch base with him and personally thank him.

She was my lifeline in school when the only words I knew were “yes” and “no”. Her warm smile and patience in a world that made no sense to me made a huge impact.

Mr. Pat Morozzo, W.E. Breckon Elementary School, Burlington

Craig Henshaw writes:

I have a special teacher from my childhood that I have wondered about for 30 years and whom I never got to thank properly. Back in the day there was no “differentiated instruction and learning strategies,” and no “refinement or comprehensive understanding of the complexities of Special Education,” for students with learning disabilities. I was extremely weak in math, always have been. Every year of school was a constant struggle and I kept falling further and further behind, even at such a young age. I remember Mr. Morozzo as a teacher new to the business, who had countless hours to spare to help me during class and after. Let me make something clear — his help was so very necessary even though the dominant ideology of education at the time was to fit all the students into the same mould. Mr. Morozzo gave selflessly of his time, trying to find ways of helping me to understand the intricacies of math that seemed beyond my 10-year-old brain to absorb.

Mr. Peter Olsen, of Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute, Guelph

Katie Duncan writes:

I had never been a traditionally good student, but had made it my goal to start anew in Grade 11 by working hard. Mr. Olsen took me seriously. He was encouraging, straightforward and honest. Most people at my small high school in Guelph knew him to be one of the best art teachers we had. He retired the year following my graduation. I promised to keep in touch, as did he, however he moved somewhere to the Kitchener/Cambridge area following his wife’s illness.

Mr. Sweeny, of John Paul II, London, Ont., 1990s

Laura Amantea writes:

He was one of the most amazing teachers both in and out of the classroom.

Ms. Timmis, of Victoria Public School, Kitchener, 1960s

Wendy L. Jackson writes:

She moved over to Sudaby Public to teach kindergarten and her name was changed to Mrs. Janks.

Ms. Lemp, of Saltfleet High School, Stoney Creek, Ont., 1970s

Jill Harrison writes:

I always thought Ms. Lemp was beautiful, poised, elegant and extremely intelligent and would love the opportunity to say “thank you” to her.

Ms. Monique Lacombe, of Ecole Sacre Coeur, Georgetown, Ont., 1980s

Karen Ramdohr Dancy writes:

Ms. Lacombe administered a test days after she started. I barely squeaked by with a 53 per cent and as she handed me back my test, she proclaimed that I could do better. I remember being annoyed by her comment because she didn't know me or what I could do. I thought to myself, the next test I will show her. I took better notes, and memorized all my notes before the next test. All my hard work paid off, the next test I got 95 per cent. That was the start of my transformation. From then on, I studied hard and did very well on all my tests. This strong sense of academics carried me through high school and on to university.

I really loved that teacher, she made me feel like I mattered and I could be beautiful and worthy too. She was always so kind and wore beautiful perfumes and exuded confidence and grace. I still remember her pleated skirts, her teaching us to sing, and her announcement that she was getting married. Her presence gave me confidence. My home life was not going well. I lived in upheaval and an angry environment. Being in her class brought peace and relief to me. I wish her well.

The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please contact us or see our privacy policy for more information.

More from the Toronto Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com